Imports rise 26%, forex pressures worsen

Published: 12 September 2018

ZIMBABWE'S import bill rose 26% in the six months to July 31 this year, driven by firming demand for fuel and food.

Data for January is missing.

The growing import pressures also saw the country's trade deficit rising 27% to $1,48 billion from $1,15 billion in the comparable period, according to the latest trade report by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat).

The report shows that imports of goods and services increased at a faster rate than exports, which rose 24% to $1,96 billion from $1,58 billion during the same period last year.

The value of merchandise exports has sustained an upward trend since a temporary sag in 2014, but this has been offset by high import pressures, driven by items categorised as consumption goods.

The contribution of consumption goods to overall imports, which had recorded a 19% drop in 2017 compared to the previous year on account of imposition of restrictive measures by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, has resurged, driven mainly by food and consumables.